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The Somme

The whistles blew, and Tommy went over the top. The British Fourth Army, comprised mostly of “Pals Battalions” and Kitchener’s New Army Men, launched what had been intended to be a supporting attack for the decisive French offensive. But because French divisions had bled away in the defense of Verdun, the supporting British attack had…

The whistles blew, and Tommy went over the top. The British Fourth Army, comprised mostly of “Pals Battalions” and Kitchener’s New Army Men, launched what had been intended to be a supporting attack for the decisive French offensive.

But because French divisions had bled away in the defense of Verdun, the supporting British attack had instead become the main effort. And rather than being a decisive offensive, the attack was now limited to easing German pressure on the Russians.

The Battle of the Somme would last for 141 days.

Beadle painting Belfast CC

On the first day alone, the British Army suffered 57, 470 casualties, including an astonishing 19,240 dead.

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Exeter July 1st 2016.
‘19240 Shrouds of the Somme.
Opens 07.30.’ The exact time 100 yrs. ago the Battle commenced – the number represents how many died in the first few hours of the Battle.

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Responses to “The Somme”

  1. ultimaratioregis

    1914-1918
    The Garden called Gethsemane
    In Picardy it was,
    And there the people came to see
    The English soldiers pass.
    We used to pass—we used to pass
    Or halt, as it might be,
    And ship our masks in case of gas
    Beyond Gethsemane.
    The Garden called Gethsemane,
    It held a pretty lass,
    But all the time she talked to me
    I prayed my cup might pass.
    The officer sat on the chair,
    The men lay on the grass,
    And all the time we halted there
    I prayed my cup might pass.
    It didn’t pass—it didn’t pass-
    It didn’t pass from me.
    I drank it when we met the gas
    Beyond Gethsemane.

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  2. Paul L. Quandt

    Words fair me at thoughts of “The War to End All Wars”, aka WWI.
    Paul

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  3. Paul L. Quandt

    FARK! That was supposed to be fail not fair. See above.
    Paul

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